Pope Francis joins lay movements for Pentecost celebrations

This weekend, 120,000 members of lay movements and ecclesial associations are gathering in Rome to celebrate Pentecost and the Year of Faith.

Around 150 different groups from around the world are registered for the events. Under the slogan, “I Believe! Increase our Faith”, the pilgrimage begins at the tomb of St. Peter on Saturday morning. Then in the afternoon, a welcoming ceremony with reflections, music, and testimonials will be held in St. Peter’s Square.

In the evening, Pope Francis joins the pilgrims for a Pentecost Vigil, beginning with a moment of prayer in front of the image of the Virgin Mary Salus Populi Romani. S+L will broadcast the vigil live at 12:00pm ET/9:00am PT, repeating at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT. (You can follow the prayers with the online booklet for the celebration.)

The vigil includes testimonies from the Irish writer John Waters and the Pakistani politician Paul Bhatti, whose brother Shahbaz was assassinated in 2011. Afterwards, representatives of the movements will ask the Holy Father some questions, which he will respond to spontaneously. Among those present will be a large number of people with various disabilities, the parents of a child killed in the earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy, and Italian politicians belonging to the Communion and Liberation movement.

Pope Francis will join the pilgrims again the following morning for Pentecost Sunday Mass. S+L will air the liturgy at 10:30am ET/7:30am PT, repeating at 2:30pm ET/11:30am PT. Visit the S+L schedule for more broadcast times.
–Credit: CNS photo/Stefano Rellandini, Reuters

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